Method and device for removing substance from fingernails

ABSTRACT

A method and device for removing a substance from an individual&#39;s fingernails which includes a cover member having an opening therein, a foam member, and a retaining member/reservoir for retaining the foam member within the opening of the cover member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application having Ser. No. 61/095,258 filed Sep. 8, 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is related to a method and device for removing a substance from an individual's fingernails. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method and device for removing substances such as acrylics, polish, and/or glue from an individual's fingernails.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, an individual's fingernails are typically soaked in a container holding solvent in order to remove acrylic nails, nail polish, and/or glue from the individual's fingernails. In the case of acrylics, an individual's fingernails need to be soaked for a lengthy period of time in order to facilitate the removal process.

In order to speed up the removal process for removing acrylics, nail polish, and/or glue from an individual's fingernails, there is a need for a device which enhances the removal process while at the same time allowing mobility of the user's fingers. In addition, there is a need for a device that enhances removal of acrylics, nail polish, and/or glue from an individual's fingernails which reduces skin exposure to the solvent used in the removal process as well as exposure to the fumes resulting from the use of the solvent.

The present invention delivers a solvent directly to a user's fingernail without the need for soaking the user's fingernails in a dish. Accordingly, the present invention allows mobility of the user's fingers while the user's fingernails are soaking in solvent and also reduces skin exposure to the solvent and exposure to solvent fumes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method and device for removing a substance from a user's fingernails. The device includes a cover member capable of covering a user's fingertip where the cover member has an opening positioned over the area of the user's fingernail when the cover member is placed over the user's fingertip, a retaining member positioned beneath the opening contained in the cover member, and a foam member contained within the retaining member. The retaining member may comprise a portion of the cover member itself or may be attached to the cover member. The device may further include a solvent that is applied to the foam member such that the solvent is retained within the foam member.

The cover member of the device may be comprised of a polymer, a plastic, and/or a fabric material. The fabric material may or may not be water resistant. The retaining member of the device may be comprised of a material through which a solvent can pass so that solvent applied to the foam member will come into direct contact with a user's fingernail. The solvent may comprise any number of solvents such as, for example, acetone and/or ethyl acetate.

The foam member which is retained within the retaining member/reservoir may be removable and replaceable. Once the foam member deteriorates from repeated use, it can easily be removed and replaced with a new foam member.

The device of the present invention can be used for removing fake nails or acrylics, nail polish, and/or glue from a user's fingernails. The cover member of the device may also comprise a laser finger cup, a cot, a sheath, or similar type of cover and the retaining member/reservoir which may comprise part of the cover, or be attached to the cover, which is used to retain the foam member may be laminated as long as a solvent can pass through the retaining member/reservoir to a user's fingernails.

The present invention is also directed to a method for removing a substance from a user's fingernail which includes the steps of a) providing a cover member capable of covering a user's fingertip wherein the cover member includes an opening positioned over the area of the user's fingernail when the cover member is placed over the user's fingertip, a retaining member positioned within and/or beneath the opening contained in the cover member, and a foam member contained within the retaining member, b) positioning the cover member over a user's fingertip such that the foam member lies directly adjacent to the user's fingernail, and c) adding a solvent to the foam member to saturate the foam member lying adjacent to the user's fingernail.

The method of the present invention for removing a substance from a user's fingernail may also include the step of removing and replacing the foam member when the foam member has deteriorated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device for removing a substance from a user's fingernails of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a removable and replaceable foam member of the present invention for removing a substance from the user's fingernail;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the device of the present invention for removing a substance from a user's fingernails;

FIG. 4 depicts exemplary embodiments of the foam member of the device of the present invention for removing a substance from a user's fingernails;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention for removing a substance from a user's fingernails which shows a user's fingertip and fingernail placed within the device and solvent being applied to the foam member portion of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a device 10 for removing a substance from a user's fingernails which includes a cover member 12 having an opening 14, a retaining member/reservoir 16 positioned beneath the opening 14 contained in the cover member 12, and a foam member 18 (see FIG. 2) which is contained within the retaining member/reservoir 14. The opening 14 and cover member 12 is positioned over the area of a user's fingernail when the cover member 12 is placed over a user's fingertip. Retaining member 16 is positioned within and/or beneath opening 14 contained in cover member 12 and retaining member/reservoir 16 may comprise a portion of cover member 12 or may be attached to cover member 12. Foam member 18 may be removable and replaceable within retaining member/reservoir 16.

FIG. 3 shows a front elevational view of the device 10 of the present invention for removing a substance from a user's fingernails. The device 10 of the present invention may be used to remove fake nails or acrylics, nail polish, glue, and/or any other substance from a user's fingernails. Cover member 12 may comprise a laser finger cup, a cot, a sheath, or any similar type of cover. Cover member 12 may be comprised of a polymer, a plastic, a fabric, or any other type of material capable of holding its shape while covering the tip of a finger. Opening 14 is large enough to retain a foam member 18 so that foam member 18 can lie adjacent to a fingernail and completely cover the outer surface of the fingernail. Retaining member/reservoir 16 may be comprised of the same material as cover member 12 but is preferably comprised of a material that enables a solvent to pass through it so that the foam member containing the solvent can lie directly adjacent to a user's fingernail. Alternatively, the retaining member/reservoir 16 may be configured such that it extends from at least a portion of the opening 14 in order to secure or lodge foam member 18 within opening 14.

FIG. 3 shows one exemplary embodiment of the retaining member/reservoir 16 extending from portions of opening 14. Foam member 18 can then be lodged between retaining member/reservoir 16 within opening 14 such that it is secured and maintained in place after applying a solvent to foam member 18 while foam member 18 lies adjacent to a user's fingernail.

FIG. 4 depicts exemplary embodiments of foam member 18 which may comprise any number of shapes and configurations.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention for removing a substance from a user's fingernails which shows a user's fingertip and fingernail placed within the device and solvent being applied to the foam member portion of the device. As shown in FIG. 5, device 10 includes a cover member 12, retaining member/reservoir 16, and opening 14 contained in cover member 12. Device 10 also includes foam member 18 which is contained within retaining member/reservoir 16. A user's finger 20 is positioned within the device 10 such that the user's fingernail 22 is placed directly adjacent to foam member 18 of device 10. A solvent 24 is then applied to foam member 18 and the user's finger 20 is retained within the device 10 to enhance removal of fake or acrylic nails, nail polish, and/or glue from the user's fingernail 22.

Device 10 enables a user to move their fingers while removing acrylic, nail polish and/or glue from their fingernails and also reduces skin exposure to solvent as well as exposure to fumes from the solvent.

Although the invention has been described herein in conjunction with the appended drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the scope of the invention is not so limited. Modifications in the selection, design, and arrangement of the various components discussed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A device for removing a substance from a user's fingernails comprising: a cover member capable of covering a user's fingertip wherein said cover member includes an opening positioned over the area of the user's fingernail when the cover member is placed over the user's fingertip; a retaining member positioned beneath the opening contained in the cover member wherein the retaining member comprises a portion of the cover member or is attached to the cover member; and a foam member contained within the retaining member.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a solvent contained within the foam member.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the solvent comprises at least one of acetone and ethyl acetate.
 4. The device of claim 2 wherein the foam member containing the solvent lies directly adjacent to the user's fingernail such that the solvent is delivered directly to a user's fingernail.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the cover member comprises at least one of a polymer, a plastic, or a fabric.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the retaining member is comprised of a material through which a solvent can pass so that solvent applied to the foam member will contact the user's fingernail.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the foam member is removable and replaceable.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is used for removing at least one of an acrylic, a polish, and/or a glue from the user's fingernail.
 9. A method for removing a substance from a user's fingernail comprising the steps of providing a cover member capable of covering a user's fingertip wherein said cover member includes an opening therein positioned over the area of the user's fingernail when the cover member is placed over the user's fingertip, a retaining member positioned beneath the opening contained in the cover member, and a foam member contained within the retaining member; positioning the cover member over a user's fingertip such that the foam member lies directly adjacent to the user's fingernail; and adding a solvent to the foam member to saturate the foam member lying adjacent to the user's fingernail.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of removing and replacing the foam member when the foam member has deteriorated.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of providing a cover member having a retaining member comprises the step of providing a retaining member that is comprised of a material through which the solvent can pass so that solvent applied to the foam member will contact the user's fingernail.
 12. A device for removing a substance from a user's fingernails comprising: a cover member having an opening contained therein; a foam member; and a retaining member for retaining the foam member within the opening.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein the cover member is capable of covering a user's fingertip and the opening in the cover member is capable of being positioned over a user's fingernail when the cover member is placed over the user's fingertip.
 14. The device of claim 12 further comprising a solvent contained within the foam member.
 15. The device of claim 12 wherein the cover member comprises at least one of a polymer, a plastic, or a fabric.
 16. The device of claim 12 wherein the foam member is removable and replaceable.
 17. The device of claim 12 wherein the device is used for removing at least one of an acrylic, a polish, and/or a glue from the user's fingernail. 